NZICC is complete and handed over to SkyCity

​Fletcher Construction has hit a major milestone with the practical completion of the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) and the keys and site formally handed over to SkyCity ahead of their planned 2026 opening.

Started in 2016, the NZICC is the largest purpose-built convention centre in the country and stands as a world-class facility that will help position Auckland and New Zealand on the global stage. 

The facility boasts 6,708sqm of multipurpose hall space - the exhibition hall alone is five times larger than the current largest exhibition hall in the country - SKYCITY Convention Centre’s New Zealand Room. It also features 928 hotel rooms connected via an airbridge and 2,700 sqm of meeting space.

“The completed NZICC is a world-class facility that will attract visitors from around the globe, drive economic activity, and provide a premier venue showcasing New Zealand on the international stage,” says Fletcher Building Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Andrew Reding.

Unfortunately, the NZICC project endured significant setbacks and challenges because of the 2019 fire, including structural damage, flooding, mould remediation, and complex rebuilding works.  

“This milestone represents the culmination of an extraordinary journey in which we have overcome unprecedented challenges, from the aftermath of the fire to complex remediation works that tested every part of the project. It stands as a testament to the determination, skill and professionalism of everyone involved,” says Andrew.

These unfortunate events transformed what was already a significant build into one of the most technically demanding projects in the country’s construction history. Prior to the fire, the project had already involved 4.8 million working hours. Since the fire, a further 9.7 million working hours have been completed, highlighting the immense scale and intricacy of the rebuild effort.

“A special thank you must go to GM Buildings John Salier, who has led the project team over the past several years with exceptional dedication and steady leadership through the most complex stages of the rebuild. His commitment, and that of the entire team around, has been critical to reaching this outcome,” says Andrew.

“I also want to thank the entire Fletcher team, along with our partners and subcontractors, for their commitment to safely delivering a project of exceptional quality. I also extend my thanks to the Auckland community for its patience and support throughout the construction and remediation process. We are immensely proud to hand over an incredible venue to SkyCity that will serve Auckland and New Zealand for decades to come.”